The New Vista Society has paid tribute to long-time city councillor Paul McDonell, often called Mr. Burnaby.
McDonell died suddenly in July 2020 after having served four terms on Burnaby council and decades of volunteer work in the city.
New Vista has named one of its residents the Paul McDonell Residence and erected a permanent tribute on a wall that is filled with photos.
McDonell worked for the Vancouver Fire Department for 35 years, retiring in 1997 with the rank of Deputy Chief.
It was a wonderful experience of mixed feelings & happy memories of a dear friend, when visiting the Paul McDonell Residence of @NewVistaSociety. The Tribute Wall in his honour captured the tremendous legacy of "Mr. Burnaby" and his everlasting mark on the @CityofBurnaby pic.twitter.com/foYpvXsKWv
— Baljinder K Narang (@Narang4Burnaby) March 11, 2022
McDonell was a United Way board member for seven years, its chair from 1995-2002, and a campaign cabinet member from 2011-16. He also served as a Burnaby Health Board director from 1994-96 and on the Fraser Health board as director, then chair from 1996-2002.
He was also a Burnaby Tourism director, and chair of the New Vista trustee board. He also co-founded the Edmonds City Fair and Classic Car show and received the BC Community Achievement Award.
